Clinical Optometry最新文献

{"title":"How Do Optometrists Approach Directed Questioning on Smoking Status in a Centrally Co-Ordinated, Publicly-Funded National Primary Care Eye Health Service?","authors":"Rebecca John, Michael R George, Gwyn Samuel Williams, Tim Morgan","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S580909","DOIUrl":"10.2147/OPTO.S580909","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, linked to various health issues, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory illnesses. It also adversely affects ocular health, increasing the risk of conditions like Age-Related Macular Degeneration and cataracts. The socioeconomic burden of smoking in the UK is significant, costing the National Health Service between £2.7 and £5.2 billion annually. Smoking cessation improves health outcomes and reduces healthcare costs. Optometrists are well positioned to identify smoking behaviours and offer cessation advice, yet evidence on current practice in Wales is limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study used an anonymous online questionnaire to assess smoking-related practice behaviours among optometrists providing National Health Service optometry services in Wales. The survey captured demographic characteristics, training history, current approaches to smoking status identification and cessation advice, confidence levels, and perceived barriers to discussing smoking with patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 778 optometrists participated, with 96.3% reporting routine assessment of patients' smoking status. Most respondents felt confident discussing the impact of smoking on health; however, barriers like time constraints and perceived patient reluctance were common. Notably, those with longer professional tenures were more likely to view patient reluctance as a barrier (OR 1.46, 95% CI, 0.026-0.050, p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings suggest generally positive engagement with smoking cessation among optometrists in Wales, though barriers to patient engagement persist. While training appears to support more proactive practice, further work is needed to understand how optometric interventions influence smoking cessation outcomes and to explore why some practitioners perceive patients as hesitant to discuss health behaviours.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"18 ","pages":"580909"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12934459/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147310868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Macular, Foveal and RNFL Thickness Patterns in Amblyopia: A Comparative Study.","authors":"Chiranjib Majumder, Safinaz Mohd Khialdin, Subrata Mukhopadhyay, Rokiah Omar","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S558412","DOIUrl":"10.2147/OPTO.S558412","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this study is to compare the macular thickness, foveal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in amblyopic eyes with those of fellow non-amblyopic eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted with amblyopic subjects from August 2022 to December 2024. A pilot study was carried out using simple random sampling technique. The study involved OCT-based measurement of macular, foveal, and RNFL thickness in amblyopic and non-amblyopic eyes using standardized imaging protocols. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical tests (paired and independent t-tests) based on normality results to compare values across eye types and gender.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed significantly higher macular, foveal, and RNFL thickness in amblyopic eyes compared to non-amblyopic eyes (p < 0.05), with no significant differences between anisometropic and mixed amblyopia subtypes. Gender had no significant effect on retinal thickness, except for superior RNFL thickness, which was higher in the anisometropic group of non-amblyopic eyes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study confirms that amblyopia involves both functional and structural retinal changes, notably in the macula and RNFL, regardless of type or gender. OCT proves valuable in detecting these changes, and future studies should focus on axial length correction and post-treatment outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"18 ","pages":"558412"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12931401/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147310939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changes in Corneal Epithelial Thickness and Tear Film Stability After Carboxymethyl Cellulose Use in Young Adults with High Screen Time Exposure.","authors":"Umesh Belbase, Prastuti Khanal, Anup Subedi, Santosh Chhetri, Punay Pratap Sah, Anil Parajuli","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S585390","DOIUrl":"10.2147/OPTO.S585390","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dry eye disease (DED) is increasingly prevalent among young adults, largely driven by prolonged digital screen exposure. This study evaluated changes in ocular surface-related parameters following carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) use in a young population with high digital screen exposure and explored baseline factors associated with anatomical change.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective, single-arm interventional study enrolled 76 patients (120 eyes) aged 20-40 years with symptomatic DED and high screen time. Participants used preservative-free 0.5% CMC artificial tears four times daily for one month. Primary outcome was the change in central corneal epithelial thickness (CET) measured by Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Secondary outcomes included changes in non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), central corneal thickness (CCT), and an analysis of predictors of anatomical improvement.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One month of CMC treatment was associated with the statistically significant increase in central CET (from 52.79 ± 2.86 µm to 53.65 ± 2.92 µm; Δ = +0.86 µm, p < 0.001), with significant thickening observed across all corneal zones. Tear film stability also improved significantly, with NIBUT increasing from 6.52 ± 2.14 seconds to 7.89 ± 3.13 seconds (Δ = +1.37 seconds, p < 0.001). A strong negative correlation was found between daily screen time and baseline NIBUT (r = -0.72, p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression identified that older age within the cohort was a significant predictor of a positive anatomical response to treatment (adjusted OR = 1.15, p = 0.013).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In young adults with screen-time-associated DED, one month of CMC may be associated with changes in corneal epithelial thickness and tear film stability. The strong correlation with screen time underscores its role as a key risk factor.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"18 ","pages":"585390"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12927739/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147285558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Dry Eye Disease Symptoms in Health Science University Students: A Combined Approach Using CVS-Q and Schirmer Tear Test to Evaluate the Influence of Digital Devices.","authors":"Ragad Allwihan, Amani Y Alhalwani, Abdullah Aleissa, Ali S Alsudais, Mohammed F Gholam","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S553070","DOIUrl":"10.2147/OPTO.S553070","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The swift development of our digital lives has led to a significant reliance on devices for everyday tasks, including education. The adverse effects of these devices on health are the subject of numerous studies and investigations. In this study, we assessed the relationship between answers to the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) and the Schirmer tear test for the detection of symptoms of Dry Eye Disease (DED). Qualitative and quantitative data were combined to examine the association between electronic device use and the appearance of such symptoms in health science students in Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Jeddah among 111 students from October 2023 to May 2024. DED symptoms were investigated in two steps: first, using the CVS-Q; and second, with the Schirmer tear test under topical anesthesia (1.0% tetracaine hydrochloride eye drops).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The CVS-Q findings showed that a majority of students (58.9% of males and 86.8% of females) used tablets for online courses. The average distance at which the students placed their devices from their eyes was between 25cm and 45cm (58.9% of males, 65.79% of females). Most students (90.4% of men, 92.1% of women) used devices for more than five hours a day. Women reported more DED symptoms than did men, especially burning, dryness, and headache (63.16%), while the men mostly experienced dryness (47.95%). The CVS-Q indicated that 41.10% of males and 57.89% of females had dry eyes, while the Schirmer test indicated that 30.14% of males experienced greater dryness. A negative correlation was found between CVS-Q scores, Schirmer test results, and the influence of digital device use among students, by gender.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study found that assessing DED-like symptoms via the link between the CVS-Q score and the Schirmer test may indicate the influence of digital device use among healthcare students.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"18 ","pages":"553070"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12927771/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147285609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Pilot Study of Retinal Vessel Calibre and Its Potential Link to Cardiovascular Risk in HIV.","authors":"Lungile M Buthelezi, Alvin J Munsamy, Khathutshelo P Mashige","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S541786","DOIUrl":"10.2147/OPTO.S541786","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This pilot study investigates the effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on retinal vessel calibre in immunocompetent people living with HIV (PLHIV). Changes in vessel calibre in HIV-positive individuals may serve as biomarkers of iBRB integrity and endothelial dysfunction.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a cross-sectional study. Fundus photography was conducted in three groups: HIV-positive individuals on ART (HIV-ART, n=62 eyes), HIV-positive ART-naïve individuals (HIV-NART, n=20 eyes), and a comparison group of HIV-negative controls (n=82 eyes). We evaluated retinal vessel calibres (Arteriolar widths, venular widths, central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), arteriole-venule ratio (AVR) using VAMPIRE software. Association models included Multivariable regression, generalized estimated equations, and mixed effects models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean venular width was significantly greater among PLHIV compared to HIV-negative controls (p=0.003). Longer ART duration was associated with the narrowing of venules in the HIV-ART group, particularly affecting mean venular width (β=-1.40 μm, p=0.02) and CRVE (β=-4.44 μm, p=0.05). The generalized model showed longer ART duration was positively associated with wider arteriolar calibre (β=7.09 μm for CRAE, p=0.001). The HIV-NART group had a significantly higher odds of abnormal CRAE (OR=3.00; p=0.033) compared to controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides a novel perspective on the probable link between retinal vessel calibre and systemic HIV factors, suggesting a possible relationship to systemic vascular health. All health clinicians should be aware of the potential for ART to influence retinal microvasculature. Future research should focus on larger cohorts and longitudinal studies to track changes in vessel calibre over time.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"18 ","pages":"541786"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12915431/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146228967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictive Gaze Shifts and Gaze Tracking with Coincidence-Anticipation Timing Responses.","authors":"Dallin Page, Jennifer Swingle Fogt, Nick Fogt","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S575238","DOIUrl":"10.2147/OPTO.S575238","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Coincidence-anticipation timing (CAT) requires an individual to execute a task at the same time that an approaching object arrives. Previous studies on intercepting a moving object suggest that if the interception location is known, observers quickly shift their gaze to this location. The purpose of this experiment was to qualitatively determine whether a clinical CAT device with a known interception location induces early predictive gaze shifts.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>CAT responses were measured using a Bassin Anticipation Timer consisting of a linear track of lights (3.58m). The lights illuminated sequentially to simulate movement along the track. A wearable video eye tracker was used to record the participants' gaze location. Participants pushed a button to coincide with illumination of the final light on the track. CAT responses were assessed in 2 conditions. In the nonrandom condition, participants responded to blocks of 21 consecutive presentations at stimulus velocities of 5mph (8.04km/h), 10mph (16.09km/h), and 20mph (32.18km/h) (63 trials). In the random condition, participants responded to randomized stimulus velocities of 5 to 20mph (64 trials).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CAT responses were collected from 20 participants. The relationship between CAT errors and stimulus velocity was best fit with a linear function for the nonrandom condition and with a quadratic function for the random condition. Gaze tracking data were examined for 14 participants. Predictive gaze shifts occurred in 23.6% of the trials in the nonrandom condition and 12.4% of trials in the random condition. In trials with no predictive movements, tracking generally occurred for most of the trajectory. Substantial head movements in the direction of the approaching stimulus occurred regularly for most participants.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Predictive gaze movements were uncommon in this coincidence-anticipation timing task. Continuous tracking was the most common gaze strategy. Future studies can explore whether training with CAT devices leads to improved sports performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"18 ","pages":"575238"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13021538/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147575787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Refractive Errors, Myopic Macular Degeneration, and Associated Risk Factors in a Maltese Population-Based Study.","authors":"David Agius, Julian Mamo, Neville Calleja, Daniel Cassar, Xeniya Marku, Maria Christina Nappa, Michaela Zammit, Maria Elena Pace, Francis Carbonaro","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S561426","DOIUrl":"10.2147/OPTO.S561426","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To estimate the prevalence of refractive error and myopic macular degeneration in a nationally representative sample of older adults from Malta, evaluate associations with established risk factors.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>This population-based cross-sectional study included 1,794 participants aged 50-80 years from Malta, recruited as part of The Malta Eye Study (response rate 44.8%). Demographic, medical, behavioral, and ocular data were collected using structured questionnaires. Standardized ophthalmic examinations were performed, including autorefraction and retinal imaging with optical coherence tomography. Refractive error was classified by spherical equivalent as myopia (< -0.50 D) and hyperopia (> +0.50 D), while astigmatism was defined as ≤ -0.75 D. Myopic macular degeneration was graded using the meta-analysis for pathologic myopia classification. Associations were assessed using multivariable logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among right phakic, surgically untouched eyes, the prevalence of emmetropia, myopia, and hyperopia was 20.0% (95% CI 18.0-22.1%), 25.1% (95% CI 23.0-27.4%), and 54.8% (95% CI 52.3-57.3%), respectively. Vector-derived average astigmatism prevalence in both eyes was 44.3% (95% CI 41.6-46.9%), with against-the-rule astigmatism being the most common pattern. Effective refractive error coverage exceeded 90% for both distance and near vision. The prevalence of any myopic degeneration in either eye was 2.6% (95% CI 1.9-3.4%). Myopia prevalence among individuals aged 50-59 years was lower than that reported in other European populations, and use of long-acting anti-muscarinic agents was associated with myopic degeneration (OR 25.70, 95% CI 1.55-426.04, p=0.023).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study reports refractive error and myopic macular degeneration prevalence broadly comparable to other European settings. Lower myopia prevalence among individuals aged 50-59 years may reflect complex gene-environment-behavior interactions. Further investigation of these interactions, as well as the potential impact of long-acting anti-muscarinic agents on myopic macular degeneration, is warranted, particularly in light of the wide confidence interval.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"18 ","pages":"561426"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016126/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147521972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Satisfaction of Biweekly Senofilcon A Toric Contact Lens Wearers Who Were Refit Into Weekly Serafilcon A Toric Contact Lenses.","authors":"Chris Lievens, Andrew D Pucker, Bradley S Giedd, Shane R Kannarr, Morgan Bromley, Gina Wesley, Quentin X Franklin, Nate Hopkins, Robert J Fick","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S565479","DOIUrl":"10.2147/OPTO.S565479","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The purpose of this study was to determine whether satisfied wearers of biweekly contact lenses (CL) for astigmatism can be refitted with weekly CL for astigmatism and remain satisfied wearers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Satisfied, asymptomatic senofilcon A CL wearers aged 18-40 years were enrolled. Visits 1 and 2 confirmed senofilcon A CL satisfaction and fit. After a week of washout, serafilcon A CLs were dispensed at visit 3, and participants were asked to wear them for 2 weeks. At visit 4, CLs were evaluated using the CLDEQ-8, visual analog scale (VAS), an investigator-designed questionnaire, and the Impact of Dry Eye on Everyday Life (IDEEL) QoL module.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-seven participants (70.2% female) were enrolled. A total of 81% of the participants wearing serafilcon A CLs had asymptomatic CLDEQ-8 scores at visit 4. Serafilcon A CLs wearers had mean VAS scores of 72.1 ± 27.2 for end of day eye comfort, 63.6 ± 34.2 for eye dryness, and 79.6 ± 23.8 for clarity of vision. Serafilcon A CLs wearers had good mean daily activities (96.1 ± 5.3), feelings (97.8 ± 3.2), and work domain (95.7 ± 5.9) IDEEL questionnaire scores, and 65.8% of the participants indicated that they were satisfied with their CLs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>According to patient reported outcome results, most participants were satisfied with their CLs after switching from senofilcon A to serafilcon A CLs, suggesting that it is feasible to switch a satisfied biweekly CL wearer to a weekly CL brand when needed as a result of newer materials, a different replacement schedule, patient preference, costs, or other necessities.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"18 ","pages":"565479"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016401/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147521937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of Effectiveness of Biovance Single and Triple Layer Decellularized Basement Membranes for Treatment of Ocular Surface Disease: A Retrospective Study.","authors":"Melanie Denton","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S571568","DOIUrl":"10.2147/OPTO.S571568","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by tear film instability, ocular surface inflammation, and epithelial compromise, often predisposing patients to complications such as acute keratitis and persistent corneal epithelial defects. Amniotic membrane therapy has emerged as a valuable treatment modality for DED due to its ability to protect against mechanical trauma, modulate inflammation and fibrosis, promote corneal epithelial migration, and help restore ocular surface homeostasis in refractory cases.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective clinical series evaluated the long-term outcomes of a dehydrated, decellularized basement membrane (DBM) allograft (Biovance) used in conjunction with pressure patching in 17 eyes. Patients were treated with either Biovance SL (single-layer DBM) or Biovance Ocular 3L (three-layer DBM), and corneal healing was assessed over a 6-month period.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both treatment groups demonstrated statistically significant reductions in corneal fluorescein staining at 3 and 6 months. At 6 months, the reduction in corneal staining in the three-layer group was statistically significantly greater than that observed in the single-layer group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Biovance 3L Ocular group exhibited a greater magnitude and duration of corneal staining improvement compared to the Biovance SL group; thereby, supporting the enhanced long-term efficacy of the multi-layer DBM construct in the treatment of DED-related epithelial disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"18 ","pages":"571568"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13016111/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147521830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Observational, Multicenter, Parallel-Cohort Study Evaluating the Association of Clinical Manifestations and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with <i>Demodex</i> Blepharitis.","authors":"Bridgitte Shen Lee, Nicole Fram, Ruth Lapid-Gortzak, Marc Bloomenstein, Kayla Karpuk, Aimée Rosann-Peck Edell, Julio Echegoyen, Myhanh Nguyen, Kavita Dhamdhere, Elizabeth Yeu, Preeya K Gupta","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S560101","DOIUrl":"10.2147/OPTO.S560101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the clinical manifestations and patient-reported outcomes related to <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>In this observational, multicenter, cross-sectional, parallel-cohort study conducted at 7 sites in the United States, adult participants were assigned to study cohorts based on collarette grade: Control Cohort (no collarettes), Cohort 1 (1-10 collarettes), or Cohort 2 (>10 collarettes). Key outcome measures included collarette grading, lid margin erythema, ocular symptoms (itching, fluctuating vision, irritation, redness, and burning) measured on a visual analog scale (VAS), and the location of ocular itching when present.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 147 participants were enrolled and completed the study: 47 in the Control Cohort, 46 in Cohort 1, and 54 in Cohort 2 (a total of 100 participants with ≥1 collarette, identified as having <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis). Eighty-five percent of patients with <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis were symptomatic, reporting at least 1 ocular symptom. Mean VAS scores were statistically significantly worse (higher) in participants with <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis for itching (24.5 vs 15.1, p = 0.025), fluctuating vision (24.2 vs 9.8, p = 0.0005), irritation (27.6 vs 17.3, p = 0.021), and redness (19.8 vs 9.9, p = 0.0128) compared to those without <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis. Mean VAS scores for burning were similar between cohorts. The lid margin was the most common location for ocular itching in patients with <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis compared to the corner(s) of the eye in patients without collarettes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrated the vast majority (85%) of patients with <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis were symptomatic, reporting at least 1 ocular symptom, and an association between increasing collarette severity in participants with <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis and ocular symptoms (itching, fluctuating vision, irritation, and redness), as well as increased lid margin erythema.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"18 ","pages":"560101"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13047913/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147623997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}